Communications Manager

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, occasional weekends and evenings may be required. Must be available for emergency situations as determined by ASI and the University. Hybrid eligible.

Application review will begin January 8, 2025, and will be reviewed until the position is filled. Our anticipated interview schedule will take place January 27, 2025- February 7, 2025.

OVERVIEW

Established in 1963, Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) is a non-profit corporation guided by a student board and managed by full-time professional staff. ASI is a part of the Cal Poly Pomona Division of Student Affairs with a dashed reporting line to Administrative Affairs. ASI serves the entire campus population, including over 26,000 students, by providing opportunities for student engagement, student employment, and a multitude of programs and services such as recreation and wellness, student union and activities, student government, and childcare. ASI operational support areas include human resources, financial services, information technology, facilities management, and marketing. ASI employees exhibit our values of integrity, honor, dedication, loyalty, and respect in every interaction with each other, our students, the campus community, and guests of Cal Poly Pomona.

Founded in 1995, award-winning Marketing, Design & Public Relations (MDPR) is one of the most respected Marketing groups at Cal Poly Pomona. It maintains its creativity and dynamic marketing strategies through an experienced, talented team of students and professional staff in combination with the use of today’s most cutting-edge technology. Its goal is to connect their clients to their respective audiences with a fresh and innovative solution. MDPR not only serves all of ASI’s internal marketing needs, but it provides the campus and local community with the opportunity to utilize their experience-driven, competitively priced, design and marketing communications services as well. Some of the services the team provides are logo design, brochure design, digital bulletin boards advertisements, and event/program poster design.

POSITION DEFINITION

Under the general supervision of the ASI Associate Director of Marketing and Strategic Communications, the Communications Manager provides oversight and management of ASI’s messaging across multiple channels, including written content, public relations efforts, and high-production media, to elevate the organization’s visibility, engage students, and promote ASI’s mission and goals. This role collaborates with the ASI Board of Directors to meet their communication needs while leading a team dedicated to creating and maintaining cohesive, impactful communication efforts. In the absence of the Associate Director of Marketing and Strategic Communications, this position will temporarily serve as the point of contact for strategic communications to meet the needs of the organization.

This position manages the unit which includes the communications area and the social media area. The primary responsibility is to provide effective leadership and development of approximately 20 part-time staff to carry out the goals of the unit.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Primary Management & Team Leadership

Recruit, select, hire, train, supervise, coach, evaluate and develop the communication and social media staff, which typically includes, but is not limited to, (1) communications supervisor, (6) communication assistants, (2) social media supervisors, (10) social media marketing assistants, and (1) project assistant
Oversee the day-to-day operations of ASI’s communication and social media areas including all efforts to ensuring projects are completed on time and to the highest standard
Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities to part-time staff, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented work environment
Primary Responsibilities
Manage the development, implementation, and oversight of ASI’s comprehensive communication strategies to effectively promote programs, services, achievements, and initiatives to the campus community and beyond, in collaboration with key stakeholders
Manage and direct communication efforts for ASI’s public relations team, acting as the primary liaison for on-campus media sources and external stakeholders
Lead and oversee editorial efforts, including high-level copywriting, proofreading, and copy editing, to ensure all communication materials adhere to ASI’s messaging standards and writing style guides
Provide specialized assistance with the communication strategy, guiding messaging and public relations efforts for all ASI-related initiatives, including high-level content creation, media outreach, and brand positioning
Manage the development and review of scripts for high-production video series, presentations, and other multimedia content, ensuring messaging aligns with ASI’s strategic goals, in collaboration with key stakeholders
Prepares, presents, implements, and administers the communication and social media budget and is responsible for the tracking, reconciliation, and reporting of related budgets and direct accountability for final results
Oversee ASI’s internal communications by managing content and engagement on ASI Teams Channels and the internal newsletter, ensuring clear, consistent, and timely communication across departments and with staff members
Attends all Board of Director meetings and partners directly with the Board to fulfill their communication needs, including crafting statements, developing talking points, and producing materials for board-led initiatives and events
In collaboration with key stakeholders, lead the co-development and implementation of comprehensive communication plans for the ASI Brand Ambassadors program, ensuring ambassadors are equipped with consistent messaging to effectively represent ASI’s brand and engage with the CPP community.
Prepare and present quarterly reports to the ASI Leadership Team and Board of Directors, providing insights from data analytics on online marketing efforts, social media performance, and campaign effectiveness to inform strategic decisions and enhance digital engagement
Create, manage, and uphold the ASI Writing Style Guide and ensure consistent application across all communication platforms both internally and externally
In collaboration with key stakeholders, develop and lead ASI’s storytelling initiatives, ensuring clear, compelling, and strategic communication that enhances ASI’s reputation and student engagement
Public Relations & Communications
Manage media relations, including responding to media inquiries, organizing press interviews, and fostering relationships with key media outlets
Lead and oversee the creation of press releases, media advisories, speeches, and public statements to enhance ASI’s presence in on-campus media
Collaborate with key internal and external stakeholders to develop effective communication plans for events, campaigns, and organizational initiatives
Work closely with the ASI Board of Directors to shape their communication strategies that align with ASI’s overall goals, ensuring alignment across all communication platforms
Oversee and lead strategic communication efforts for large-scale events, coordinating media coverage, promotional efforts, and digital campaigns to ensure successful execution
Collaborate with the ASI Board of Directors, program staff, and campus partners to develop communication strategies that meet the diverse needs of the ASI community
Partner with key stakeholders across the university to amplify ASI’s messaging, build relationships, and drive engagement with campus-wide initiatives
Content Development & Social Media
Manage the creation of social media content, including video production, digital graphics, and high-quality visuals, ensuring all content is cohesive and communicates ASI’s mission effectively
Lead and oversee the development and distribution of original content across ASI’s social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok), ensuring messages are aligned with ASI’s communication goals and social media strategies
Lead and oversee social media campaigns and content calendars, ensuring consistent messaging and engagement across platforms
Responsible for ASI’s digital marketing initiatives to drive student engagement and awareness, using data-driven strategies to maximize impact across all channels
Oversee the monitoring of ASI’s online presence, responses to real-time events, and engagement with the CPP community utilizing social media listening tools
Oversee relationship development with student influencers and campus media outlets to broaden ASI’s reach and represent the perspectives of CPP’s diverse student population

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field
Minimum three years of progressive supervisory experience with demonstrated ability to develop staff and lead a team
Minimum three years of progressive management experience in communications, social media, or public relations, including;
Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing communication strategies, including writing for various formats (e.g., press releases, scripts, digital content, social media)
Strong copywriting, proofreading, and copy-editing skills with a keen attention to grammatical detail and adherence to AP style
Experience working directly with executive leadership, such as a Board of Directors, to support high-level communication needs
Ability to manage media relations, develop press materials, and coordinate with media outlets for event coverage and public relations efforts
Proficiency with social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X) and social media management tools
Strong organizational, leadership, and team management skills, with the ability to balance multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
Demonstrated ability to work independently while ensuring alignment with organizational goals and messaging standards
Knowledge of and skill in budgeting and fiscal management
Excellent interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to work with a diverse student population and campus community
Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and make sound decisions in complex situations with minimal supervision
Experience working in higher education environment, preferred